INGOLD — James “Major” Hobbs and his brother, Alfred, seem to have a lot in common. They live right next to one another on Hobbs View Lane; they like to hunt together; and they both said they have much in which to be grateful for this holiday season, knowing that they both are recovering from major heart surgery.

The problems for the Hobbs brothers started back in November, pointed out Alfred’s wife, Helen.

“On Nov. 12, James found out that he had three blocked arteries,” said Helen. He had to face the reality of triple bypass surgery, something that the family was not expecting.

At the same time, Alfred, who was considerably worried about his brother, continued working as his job as a security officer at Sampson Regional Medical Center while staying in close contact his brother who was facing such a life-altering operation.

Then, on Dec. 2, Alfred noticed something wasn’t right with his own health.

“He had a dull pain in his chest,” noted Helen of her husband.

His associates at the hospital noticed that something was wrong and sent him to Wake Medical Center, the same hospital where his brother was recovering from surgery.

After an initial diagnosis of a heart ailment, Alfred then faced the same surgery that his brother was recovering from— triple bypass. In addition, he also had to have a valve removed.

Sondra, James’ wife, said the people at WakeMed were amazed that these two brothers were having to deal with the same ailment at nearly the same time, and so close to Christmas.

In addition to the two brothers who were in the hospital, both Helen and Sondra had to stay there as well for several nights.

“I have stayed up here for 27 days,” said Sondra, noting that her husband is still recovering from a lung ailment in addition to his heart problems.

Throughout all of this personal turmoil, one thing has kept these two together — their brotherly love.

“The love between these two brothers is overwhelming,” said Sondra. From time to time, Alfred, who is now recovering from his surgery at home, would visit his brother when he, himself, was able to get out of bed. In fact, Alfred’s first walk was to see his brother.

“He went into his room and said, ‘Hi Bro, How are you?,’” said Sondra.

While Alfred is able to recover at home, James is still not well enough to leave the hospital, said Sondra, adding that she is hopeful that he will be home by Christmas Day. However, this is not going to stop the Hobbs family from celebrating Christmas as one complete family.

“If we are able to have Christmas together, it will be the most joyous thing,” said Alfred.

Even Sondra is feeling the spirit of Christmas in a different way.

“It is a little more special this year,” remarked Sondra, who noted that lots of extra prayers have been sent out to help their loved ones during such a trying time.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.